ACADEMIC PREFIXES (adjectives &

nouns)
Vocabulary – Word Building
Adjectives can also be formed from other adjectives, especially by the negative
prefixes (un-, in- and non-).
e.g. negative + adjective adjective
The prefix in stands for not. So the word inactive means not active. Some variations
to take into account.
1. When the base word starts with an r, the in changes to ir (e.g irregular)
2. When the base word starts with an l, the in changes to il (e.g illegal)
3. When the base word starts with an m or p, the in changes to im (e.g
impossible, immoral)

Prefix Examples
un- unfortunate, uncomfortable, unjust
im-/in-/ir-/il- immature, impatient, improbable, inconvenient, irreplaceable, illegal
non- non-fiction, non-political, non-neutral
dis- disloyal, dissimilar, dishonest

A. Add the correct prefix to the following words

1. _____ dependent
2. _____ polite
3. _____ approve
4. _____ logical
5. _____ zip
6. _____ diary
7. _____ revocable
8. _____ visible
9. _____ complete
10. _____ perfect

B. Complete each sentence by adding a prefix to the adjective to make it negative

1. Paola is very __________ about what English course she has to take:
immersion, malla or semi-intensive. (certain)
2. Teachers are usually very tolerant with their students, you shouldn’t feel
__________ (comfortable) in class.

3. Andrea thinks that boy with long hair are really ________. I completely
disagree. (attractive)

4. Some undergraduate students feel ________ when they do not obtain their
language certification (happy)

5. When you talk to her you can use _________ language. She doesn´t pay
attention to that. (formal)

6. Most young people are ________ when they finish their high school due to
their lack of experience. (employ)

7. John’s ________ behaviour during his teenage years made it almost

impossible for him to secure a good job in his adult years. (moral)

8. The information on the website is __________ so don’t include it in your

essay. (accurate)

C. Complete the text with the correct form of the words.

1. Teachers often __________ (approve) of the way teenagers behave

especially when we talk about social media, it is creating a uniquely shallow
and trivial culture, making kids ______ (able) to socialise face to face.

2. Ever since I became one myself, I’ve been ________(easy) about the clichéd
way teenagers (aka young adults) are portrayed. I did a bit of research before
beginning my latest YA novels and found a minefield of
_________(understanding). There’s more myth about teenagers, I realised,
than about the entire galaxy of ancient Greek gods and goddesses!
3. Satellite photos can _____ (cover) those who would transgress the rules
using a complex face-recognition algorithm.

4. The central hypothesis is that treatment of ______ (fertile) males with

antioxidants will improve sperm structure and function, resulting in higher
fertilization rates and improved embryo development, leading to higher
pregnancy and live birth rates.
Answer key
A
1. Independent
2. Impolite
3. Disapprove
4. Illogical
5. Unzip
6. Nondiary
7. Irrevocable
8. Invisible
9. Incomplete
10. Imperfect

B
1. Uncertain
2. Uncomfortable
3. Unattractive
4. Unhappy
5. Informal
6. Unemployed
7. Immoral
8. Inaccurate
C
1. Disapprove
2. Unable
3. Uneasy
4. Misunderstanding
5. Uncover
6. Infertile